Pujya Bapu Gramin..., MGNREGA renamed, work days now 125

The government has approved the change in nomenclature of the flagship employment scheme MGNREGA to Pujya Bapu Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Yojana (PBGRGY). Sources also said the government had increased the number of minimum guaranteed employment days under the scheme from 100 to 125. The daily wages have been increased from Rs 205 to Rs 240 per day.

The decision was taken during a meeting of the Cabinet, the sources said. However, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw did not confirm or deny the move when asked about it at a press conference after the meeting. The sources said a Bill was likely to be brought in Parliament to seek

its nod for the change in nomenclature.

The scheme was originally named National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA). It was later renamed Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) after receiving Parliament’s nod.

The law was brought in by the erstwhile UPA regime to promote social security under the principle of guaranteeing the ‘right to work’.

Its primary aim is to increase security of livelihood for unskilled citizens in rural India. Under its rules, at least 100 days of wage employment is sought to be provided to willing-to-work adults from every household.